The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency has commended the Customs -Ninoy Aquino International Airport for its accomplishment and proactive measures in going after smuggling of anti-social goods, especially illegal drugs.
The Port of NAIA under the supervision of District Collector Carmelita Talusan seized at least 37 illegal shipments of prohibited drugs worth P60 million since January this year.
The contraband, including shipments of kush, ecstasy, shabu and liquid marijuana, were intercepted by Customs agents with the help of operatives of PDEA and NAIA – Inter-Agency Drug Interdiction Task Group (IADITG).
“I greatly commend each and every one of you for doing a job well done. The best accomplishment under your leadership, Collector, and other agencies operating in NAIA, is the cooperation. Knowing so, I look forward to being part of the government service with you,” said PDEA National Capital Region director Christian Frivaldo.
The agency made the commendation during PDEA’s collaborative meeting with Port of NAIA and Task Group officials last Aug. 5.
The meeting aimed to further bolster the exchange of intelligence information between the two law enforcement agencies “to protect the country against all attempts to import illegal drugs and substances inimical not only to public health but to public safety as well.”
Proactive measures were also discussed to continuously curtail the entry and proliferation of prohibited drugs.
“The continuous collaborations exemplify the Bureau of Customs and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency’s successful joint and coordinated efforts to fight against illegal drugs,” said Talusan.
Aside from Customs and PDEA officials, also in attendance during the meeting were Manila International Airport Authority – Police Department Capt. Levi Jose, Task Group deputy commander Gerald Javier, and PNP Aviation representative P/SSG Amante Cabuloy.
Four months ago, the Port of NAIA launched an anti-narcotics coordinating center near the Ninoy Aquino International Airport to further strengthen its campaign against smuggling of illegal drugs at the country’s premier airport.
The coordination center was made in partnership with PDEA and People’s Air Cargo and Warehousing Inc. (Paircargo).
Collector Talusan said their campaign is in full support to Customs Commissioner Rey Leonardo Guerrero’s border control initiatives.
Paircargo president Joseph Madrigal said they provided the facility also to support the initiatives of Customs NAIA and the government in protecting the country of any attempts on entry of illegal drugs.
Airport authorities have heightened vigilance in the campaign against illegal drug trafficking in a bid to discourage international drug syndicates from using the Philippines as a transshipment point for illegal substances.
According to PDEA, marijuana, ecstasy and shabu are among the top narcotics being smuggled and distributed in the streets and these prohibited substances are manufactured by Chinese, Taiwanese and Mexican drug syndicates.
